Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns 16 ga popularity

It was a similar observation that caused me to start the thread.

Oddly enough, in another shotgun group I belong to - someone just posted where they bought a Parker, circa 1916, 16ga with original paperwork and box. 16ga pops up again. Almost like it's telling me to buy one.

You should. 🙂

I'm not wealthy but I will continue to keep my eyes open for a 16ga SxS - Fox, LC or Parker. See what happens. I have some other projects I'd like to finish first too.

The "Queen of the Uplands" was made for SxS shotguns in my opinion. Something about the proportions of the barrels just seems the most aesthetically pleasing of all the guages. 12's can be too wide and 20's and smaller seem too narrow. 16's are just right in the SxS, other action types I don't necessarily feel the same way about. Might as well grab yourself one, or two!

You mentioned some of these old American classics which are fine, but there are many other very fine continental guns scattered around the country also.

You should be able to get a quality SxS for $2k or under, especially if one of those used, quality continental guns. But, you first have to find them in 16 ga.

Most people are dubious about Turkish shotguns, with some good reasons, but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. I have found those specified by Dickinson to be quite good at their price point. The estate model is under $2k, and the Plantation model, about $2100. My Plantation has AAA wood and quite refined, if a little heavier than I’d like (at 6 lbs 10 oz)..

The difference between a $2k and a $5k gun is usually in the craftsmanship of the art work, not in the bones of the gun.

You will have a hard time finding the equivalent of the 16 gauge Urgartechea at that price.

https://www.doubleshotguns.com/used-shotguns-side-by-side.html

Very nice and thanks for the link. I was unaware of that site.

I’m not a fan of the wood butt in that they tend to slip. Easy fix with a nice rubber or leather pad replacement.

This guy almost always has a great variety in different price ranges. He is a little proud on pricing, but his guns are most often solid examples.

https://store.vfiguns.com/shotguns

Also, look in the 16 ga. Society forum, and the “good 16 SxS” thread and it’s link to the Simpson SxS as another example.

Should be a few show up here….

https://www.southernsidebyside.com/


https://www.southernsidebyside.com/_files/ugd/591169_24d248d459ef41e0bc714d0f2fa2afdd.pdf

Hmmm…and they even mention a Dickenson Plantation!!!!

Yeah, they’re pretty fair guns…😉

That reminds me, I need to fire up my MEC Sizemaster and load up some 16ga dove loads. I’ll do that now.

I am certainly not much of shotgun guy, but I do have a couple of 16 gauges. I personally like the 16 gauge. I would choose it over the 12 gauge with the exception of waterfowl. I would maybe choose a 12 gauge if I were a buckshot or slug hunter. I am also a fan of 28 & 20 gauges, and have 12 gauges. But, for whatever reason I am definitely attracted to the 16 gauge.

Here's a good quality 16 ga SXS. Have the right choke opened to Mod and go pheasant hunting.


https://simpsonltd.com/simson-35-double-barrel-w-ejectors-z48922/

16 seems to used more readily over seas than the US. I’d say for turkey hunting these days in the US, the sub gauges have become most popular..

My first gun was a 16 gauge given to me by a great uncle. When he gave it to me, I couldn't hold both ends up off the floor. Think I was 3 or 4. I still have it. According to the S/N, it's an "Elsie" built in 1904. It's in my gun safe.
Second 16 I got was a 16th birthday gift from my parents in 1966. A Stevens 67D. In the safe.
The third 16 I picked up (1975-ish) was a Win M12. It had been used so much, I sent it to P.O. Ackley in SLC, Utah and had it rebuilt.
It's also on my safe.
The fourth 16 was a Win M12 I built to scavenge parts to make some repairs to gun #3. I ended up just rebuilding it AND gun #3.
You guessed it! In the safe.
The LAST (and 5th!) 16 I acquired was an inadvertent rescue from a pawn shop and probably one of my favorite acquisitions.
It's a Remington "The Sportsman" built in 1932. According to the S/N, it was one of the first 500 built.
Because the barrel wasn't the factory original and I wanted an all purpose shotgun*, I sent the barrel to Briley and had it fitted with choke tubes.

Since I don't shoot a lot, I'm always picking up a box of 16's whenever I can. Academy seems to always have a box or two of 16 gauge. Most of the time it's #6's or #7.5's. I prefer #8's or #9's but I'll take about anything I can get.
A friend gave me a box of #1 buck and a box of slugs! I seldom, if ever, shoot either one!

* - due to age, injuries and surgeries, I needed something with less recoil than my old Rem 870 12 bore, and this fills the bill.
I don't think I'd care to spend a day at the range with it, but for squirrel or turkeys, it's perfect! Hard hitting and low(er) recoil.

I picked up an Ithica 37 in 16ga with a poly choke for nostalgia reasons. I have taken it on a few pheasant hunts just to hear the comentary.

The earlier 50-70's 870 16 ga had a frame of their own.

Yes and I have one. Slick little gun, haven't used it much in a long time but some little kid who hasn't been born yet is going to think its pretty cool.